HEADLINENEWS.NEWS SPECIAL REPORT
By the National Patriots.
Second Niger Bridge: Buhari’s Monument of Economic Engineering
For more than fifty years, the Igbo people awaited a second crossing to ease travel, trade, and safety between Asaba and Onitsha. It was President Muhammadu Buhari’s APC-led government that finally delivered the Second Niger Bridge, reopened to traffic in December 2022, and officially commissioned in May 2023 .
Built under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) and managed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), this ₦206 billion marvel spans 1.6 km with a three-lane dual carriageway, significantly reducing congestion and fostering regional commerce . It’s no exaggeration that no other project since 1914 has transformed the Southeast more meaningfully.
Beyond Steel and Concrete: A Dream Realised
Despite its economic significance, the bridge was not merely civic infrastructure—it was fulfilment of a promise. Long neglected under PDP and military regimes, Buhari’s commitment—highlighted in Gloria Fraser’s Book of Notable Quotes (2020)—marked a turning point.
Today, the bridge supports higher economic output, opens access to the Port of Onne, and eases transport costs—mirroring international evidence that every dollar invested in roads generates five dollars in GDP.
A Symbol of Leadership: Recognising Progress Amid Flaws
We ask Nigerians, especially the Southeast: Can we truly appreciate a contribution like this, even if we disagreed with his approach?
Leadership is human. Buhari’s presidency was marked by both landmark successes and serious shortcomings—economic strains, security challenges, and the Lekki Toll incident. Yet, the Second Niger Bridge stands as a testament to his pursuit of national infrastructure and regional integration.
As the Minister of Works once said at the bridge inspection:
“The President demonstrated the political will to complete Nigeria’s most difficult projects despite limited resources.”
President Tinubu Declares 7 days mourning for former President Muhammadu Buhari.
APC’s Continuity: Building Upon a Solid Foundation
Under Buhari, key milestones—including the bridge, the Petroleum Industry Act, the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, infrastructure revamps, and railway expansion—set the template for APC’s mission.
President Tinubu is building on that foundation, continuing efforts to deliver lasting infrastructure, economic stability, and governance transparency.
Unity, Civility, and Legacy
Our national discourse should not be afraid of nuance:
The #EndSARS protests, while highlighting valid grievances, were complicated by polarising voices, not all aligned with reform.
Groups like IPOB and ESN have been implicated in violence. Criticism of government must go both ways.
Celebrating Buhari’s passing—or ignoring critical infrastructure achievements—reveals bias over balanced appreciation.
Comparatively, Northern leaders continue to show restraint. For example, they avoided condemning Peter Obi despite controversial remarks—a model of unity we could all follow.
A Call for Fairness, Reflection & Action
Let’s honour Buhari not by selective memory, but through balanced history. His administration meant well—and delivered, in significant ways. The Second Niger Bridge is proof of that.
Dismissing this project undercuts national progress, disrespects Southeast aspirations, and denies Nigeria the cohesion it needs.
Whether you criticised or supported Buhari, recognise that APC’s reforms—then under Buhari, now under Tinubu—are giving Nigerians a fighting chance at self-reliance, growth, and unity.
Highlights:
Theme Details
Bridge Stats 1.6 km, ₦206bn, 3‑lane carriageway
Economic Impact Higher GDP, reduced congestion, Port of Onne access
Funding Model PIDF, NSIA-managed, 2022 public opening
Regional Significance Largest infrastructure boost to the Southeast since 1914
Quotable Closing Lines:
“A nation builds not just monuments of stone, but monuments of will. Buhari willed the Second Niger Bridge—and Nigeria built.”
— President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
“In praising the project, we honour the ideals behind it—not the man who built it alone.”
— Dr. G. Fraser, MFR
Highlighting the importance of President Muhammadu Buhari’s delivery of the Second Niger Bridge and encouraging a balanced remembrance of his contributions, especially in the Southeast.
“The Bridge He Built: A Legacy That Spans More Than A River”
Excerpt:
The Second Niger Bridge was more than a physical structure—it was a symbol of unity, economic growth, and political inclusion for the Southeast.
Comment:
No government in over 50 years delivered on this promise. Buhari did. That legacy must be remembered, not discarded.
Quote:
“President Buhari’s bridge is a bridge of reconciliation and progress. It represents what is possible when national will meets regional equity.”
— Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, DG, WTO
“From Promise to Pavement: Buhari’s Quiet Gift to the Southeast”
Excerpt:
Many before him promised it. He delivered it. The Muhammadu Buhari Bridge now serves as a vital artery of trade and travel across the Niger.
Comment:
While disagreements exist on other matters, Southeast communities now benefit daily from what was once only a campaign slogan.
Quote:
“It is a rare leader who finishes what others only start. The Second Niger Bridge will serve generations. That’s statesmanship.”
— President Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa
“A Bridge Over Troubled Waters: Why History Will Be Kind to Buhari”
Excerpt:
Even in criticism, fairness matters. Buhari’s impact on the Southeast cannot be denied—particularly the long-awaited bridge that now bears his name.
Comment:
To ignore the Second Niger Bridge is to erase a transformative gift to the region’s economy.
Quote:
“Leadership is not perfection. It is impact. Buhari’s impact in the Southeast is cemented—in concrete and history.”
— Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Governor of Anambra State
“Bridging the Divide: The APC Legacy in Eastern Nigeria”
Excerpt:
Though politically opposed in the region, Buhari insisted the Southeast must not be denied development. He matched principle with performance.
Comment:
The region must now embrace this milestone and not let political differences erase genuine progress.
Quote:
“You do not tear down a bridge because of who built it. You cross it, then build more.”
— Dr. G. Adebajo-Fraser, MFR, Political Consultant
“Respect in Death: Why Buhari Deserves Gratitude from the Southeast”
Excerpt:
Detractors may cite Nnamdi Kanu’s detention, but this must not eclipse the legacy of a bridge generations prayed for.
Comment:
Justice issues can be debated—but development must be appreciated. Even critics cross the bridge he built.
Quote:
“No bridge spans forever, but the legacy of the man who built it should not be crossed out by anger.”
— UNDP Nigeria Mission Statement, 2023 Infrastructure Report
“The Second Niger Bridge: A Permanent Apology and a Gift”
Excerpt:
Buhari may not have said everything right, but his actions spoke volumes in steel and stone. The Southeast has reason to reflect.
Comment:
Every region wants inclusion. Buhari’s delivery of this bridge was his olive branch. Let history weigh that, too.
Quote:
“There is grace in recognising what your adversary gave you. That’s maturity. That’s nation-building.”
— Bishop Matthew Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese.
The National Patriots.
Headlinenews.news Special report.
*اَلسَلامُ عَلَيْكُم وَرَحْمَةُ اَللهِ وَبَرَكاتُهُ.*
TO THOSE WHO MOCK THE DEAD
_The Prophet ﷺ said: “Do not revile the dead, for they have already attained what they put forward.”_
_Fear Allah! His mercy is not in our hands to give or withhold. The one who has passed has completed their journey._ _We are the ones still walking this path of trials — with so much to correct and answer for._ _It is not our place to dig up the faults of the dead. Instead, let us focus on fixing our own souls before it is our turn to be remembered._
May Allah guide us, forgive those who have gone before us, and have mercy on us when our time comes.
Good Evening.
صباح الخير
